The World Sleeps in on Sundays

I’m sitting on the couch in our lounge and looking out the window. It’s no longer morning, but the stillness of Sunday has set in and I am glad to be alive to witness this day. The sun lights up the houses across the street, and the dark clouds behind add to the effect. It’s been raining the past few days, and now everything is clean, bright, and wet, and colour stands out so well in the lighting.

Not all is beautiful. The leaves, which once held their majestic sway in the streets, are now soggy and brown and make for quite a sport crossing streets where they have not already been cleared away. But the beauty is there if one will be open to see it. It’s always there. Just this morning I saw a hundred thousand glistening rain drops adorning the branches of a bare brown bush. So easily missed in this sorry-I-can’t-stop-for-you lifestyle.

Which is why I like Sundays. Granted, not everyone gets to sit back and breathe in deeply on Sundays, but I sure hope everyone gets slow down at least somewhere in a week. I get to take stock of my life, myself, my surroundings. And I get to appreciate the present – the moment, the week, the people in my life.

There is beauty in people too… if one will just look long enough to see it. Some say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Others say beauty is inherent in the thing itself. I’m no philosopher, but I’d say it’s both. The beholder has the privilege of recognizing the beauty that is already there. Which is why I look for it. And is why when I see it I step back to take it in fully.

I think of a children’s book I own: Who made the Morning? (by Jan Godfrey & illustrated by Honor Ayres.) It’s about Little Brown Bird’s quest to discover the maker of this beautiful morning. She eventually discovers that it is God, who makes all things and who is always with her. The last page of the book reads, “and to thank Him, Little Brown Bird sang a happy song.” I find myself thanking God for another beautiful day, and praying that my whole life will be a happy song.

What's brewing...

Mid-term is so last season! We’re onto papers now… hopefully all the research is done. Now for editing and reediting, and formatting them just right. When I think that it has only been about three months, I am astounded! So much has happened. I feel like I’m a much larger person – not in a physical aspect, not merely mentally, but wholly larger. I have much inside me that wasn’t here before. Here’s one example… a poem that has been brewing of late:

 In the Service of a Leaf

Leaves are fascinating.

For the most part they are pretty and green,
Silently proclaiming praise,
And something about recycling air.
 
Somewhere in each leaf’s lifetime,
It loses all but radiates homage instead,
Resplendent.
The landscapes are steeped in colour.
No one leaf is quite like another,
And none remains as is for long.
 
In one final act of beauty and service
They lose themselves completely
And fall to the ground,
A sacrificial carpet lining the streets
On which the Bride of Glory treads.

 

Mid-term... already!

I can hardly believe we’re half way through the first term!!! Most of the firstyears are frantically reading through half of the Old Testament before the mid-term exam next week. The Scriptures come alive in context… I understand on a whole new level what the authors were trying to get across, and I’m learning to appreciate the artistic use of language too.

That’s not all that is shaping my thinking. We’ve covered a huge range of topics in Christian Thought and Culture. Some of the things we have touched on are the formation of the doctrine of the Trinity, the canonization of the Scriptures, modernity & postmodernity, pagan influence on the early church, and how different cultures might express Christianity differently… a LOT to take in, wrestle with, and take a stand on. It is rich!

I still enjoy walking to the bus stop each day (it has not rained too much yet). The Vancouver houses are quite something to admire, as are the trees. Here’s a poem about leaves I wrote in 2007, although the varieties here are generally a lot wetter than those described below!

The Dance of Leaves

It is when the skies are clouded over

And the winds howl
That the leaves come out to dance

They scurry along

Their warm little bodies frozen forever
Working wonders in their jig
Against the backdrop of a twilit sky

Others are coloured more vibrantly

Yet not quite as energetic

A sudden scuttle

As if a crescendo

The wind fades

And they settle once again
Expectant

The Little Things

Why did I walk home today? Well, I decided on the way, if I had have taken the bus, I would not have enjoyed eating the blackberries that grow along the way. And secondly, because I lost my bus pass!

I wake up, excited by the little things in life: yoghurt with sweet nectarines every morning (and any other time of day), walking past my favourite house on the block, hearing a great song on repeat for endless hours, surprising a friend, being surprised by a friend, discovering something intriguing and amusing in the class readings, the two-tone flowers I have not seen before, the wonder of a free afternoon, the pictures in a child’s book, writing my name in the letters of the Greek alphabet, and the feeling of sun on my face.

The sunny days are coming to an end, I am told. The overcast early mornings are something I can expect all day long, I hear. The rain goes on and on. That is if you can classify it as rain; I understand it is more of a perpetual drizzle. This coming season is not devoid of beauty. The leaves tell a different story. Each of them gives a final splurge of colour, a kind of epic attempt at the extraordinary, before plummeting to their deaths. Just like fireworks. It’s the little things in life that seem to hold the potential for great joy.

"You have been assimilated"

Apart from the really obvious absence of jet lag and incorporation of varied terms, I have found myself adjusting to the ways of the Canadians. I can partially imitate the Canadian accent (or is it North American?) and I find myself keeping to the right of the sidewalk. It’s not that straightforward as I live in a house with other internationals, so we experience a daily mix of vibrant culture.

The other day I threw “kuier” into the conversation and then realised that it needed an explanation. Well, there’s plenty of opportunity here for kuiering… from potlucks on the beach, to hanging out at the local pub (a completely normal activity here, I assure you), to lunch out together after church. Bring that a little closer to home and you have my amazing housemates who themselves are great to spend time with. A pretty good setup, if you ask me J

Classes (said with an “a” as in “man”) have started and they are great so far! There is a lot of work, of reading, and the pace is quick, but I’m into it! I surprised myself by enjoying Greek class the most at the moment... possibly because it's the only subject that is definitely right or wrong at this level. And it's kinda cool to be able to read Greek (even if I have no idea what I am saying!!)

The truth is, I’m a South African down to the core and I always will be, but I have found it easy to adjust into this multi-cultural city that is Vancouver. It’s made easier by the familiarity of “home” in the body of Christ, even this far from long-time friends and family.

Snug as a bug in a rug

I have recently moved into my new home! It’s close to school, and I live with awesome people. It’s a big old wooden house, with creaky stairs, lots of space and corners tucked away, and a beautiful little garden.

Who could know how perfect this place would be?! More than a year ago I had an image in my mind of my study desk against a wall, with a ceiling slanting upwards from the left. I imagined it was the bottom of a staircase ascending above where my desk was situated.

When I first heard about this house, there was an available room in the attic. I was so excited to see whether it would become my room – of course the slanted ceiling in my mind was an attic! Who wouldn’t think of that? (By the way, I don’t think I have seen any house in South Africa that has an attic for a living space?!) I didn’t get the attic room. One of the other girls moved in there because it was bigger than her current room. I was allocated her original room.

Bowl me over when I arrived and was introduced to my new living quarters… it’s on the top floor and also has slanted ceilings. I don’t understand why this room would not also be called an attic! It is the perfect colour and size, and my desk fits perfectly against the wall behind the door. The ceiling slants above it, upwards from the left. It has a south-facing window, which is perfect for maximum access to sunshine in the northern hemisphere. And because the room is a little smaller than the “attic”, I pay less for it.

My room, which has quickly become a haven, is just another piece of evidence of a great big God who is into the teeny-tiny details. I am so glad that He is the one in control.

Keep Right!

I have explored much of the city on foot, yet much remains to be discovered. What I find most interesting is my sub-conscious desire to keep left – in a country where everyone else keeps right! I’ll start out perfectly, but when I look again I have steered towards the left of the path without realising. I don’t think I should try driving for a while! I dare any South African to take up the challenge of keeping to the right of a pathway… just try it!

I’m also sure I’m a Vancouver-driver’s nightmare. I’m conditioned to waiting for any cars to pass before crossing a road on foot. Here the cars wait for you!! More than once I’ve hesitated, perhaps to check if they’ll really stop – and they really do!

Today I visited Granville Island. (It’s not a real Island, but a small stretch of land that joins the main part of Vancouver with Downtown.) It’s a tourist hotspot, and has quite a number of artistic / creative stores. From beautiful stationery to blown glass, books to hand-dyed fabrics, live music to fresh vegetables… quite the way to spend a morning! I loved finding a fresh red Dahlia – a flower I have never seen before J

The past week has been lovely. I have been able to be a tourist, with no agenda, and time at my command. Soon the studies start. Some good hard work and lots to learn, but with it comes a whole lot more friends, the joy of discovery, some fast walks to school and some slow walks home, and later the inevitable blushing of the trees as the Fall decides to paint her colours.

Recipes

It seems as though many families make the most of the in-season fruits and berries by buying bulk and canning / making jams / anything else you can do with fruit. Yesterday I was very intrigued to help and learn how to make blackberry jam and can peaches.

 

 

Recipe for Blackberry Freezer Jam

Recipe adapted from Bernardin Pectin box

Makes about 5 x 250 ml jars.

 

1½ cups sugar

45 g Freezer Jam Pectin

4 cups blackberries (washed and crushed)

Sanitized jam jars

 

Tip: For less seeds, press some of the blackberries through a sieve.

Combine pectin and sugar until well blended. Add fruit mixture and stir well.

Ladle jam into jars, leaving 1 cm space on top. Wipe jar rims removing any residue. Apply lids tightly. Allow to stand until thickened, about 30 minutes. Refrigerate up to 3 weeks, freeze up to 1 year, or serve right away.

 

 

Recipe for canning peaches (tinned peaches, in SA terminology J)

 

About 30 ripe peaches

1 ¼ cups white sugar

3 cups water

6 glass quart jars (1 litre each)

Water for blanching and processing

 

Sanitise the jars in boiling water for 10 minutes. Keep lids hot until used.

To make the light syrup, boil the water and dissolve the sugar completely. Once fully dissolved, keep it hot, but not boiling.

To remove the peach skins, blanch them by placing them in boiling water for about a minute. Immediately transfer them to a basin of ice water (including ice cubes!). Pull the skin off. Remove the pip and any bruised spots, and slice (halves or slices).

Tightly pack the peaches into sanitized jars. Cover with the hot syrup, leaving 1.5cm space at the top. Use a rubber spatula to remove air bubbles. Do not use a metal implement, as a scratch may weaken the glass and cause it to crack during processing.

You can sprinkle ½ teaspoon Ascorbic acid on top before sealing, to prevent fruit from browning.

Wipe rim and with a clean damp cloth. Add lid, screw band and tighten firmly. Do not over tighten.

 

To process the jars

Place the sealed jars in a huge pot of boiling water, covering them with at least 2,5cm water. Boil covered for 20-30 minutes (more if you are above sea level).

Remove and cool sealed jars overnight in a draft-free area.

 

 

Terminology 101 for the CanAfrican Novice

Braai                                      Barbeque
Biscuit                                   Cookie                 
Jam                                        Jello (or call it jam if you like it chunky)
Robot                                    Traffic light
Ja                                            Yeah
Cell phone                            Mobile 
Slops                                      Sandals
Takkies                                  Sneakers
Zebra crossing                     Cross walk
Two dollar                            Toonie 
One dollar                             Loonie                 
Lollipop                                 Popsicle
Fizz drink / soda                  Pop       
Shop                                      Store                    
Trolley                                   Cart       
Rubbish bin                          Trash can
Peanut Butter                     Peanut Butter, of course!           

Vancouver: First Impressions

So begins a new chapter of my story. I’m a South African way on the other side of the world in Vancouver, and I’m making it my new home. While I can, I’m going to join the rest of the Vancouver student population and walk around in a t-shirt and shorts. The sun goes down quite late, and I think I might have even caught a slight sunburn the other day (which is not particularly difficult for me to do!) The leaves have not turned yet, and so the vibrant green is just as beautiful as I imagine the fall will be.

I think of those back home who would love to be here too! The city life offers just about everything you could want; the wild beauty is as good for the soul as it is for the environment; and the benefits and minimal responsibilities of student life are almost too good to be true.

There are many new places to explore. Every corner I turn beckons me in three different directions and I have enjoyed every step of my way so far. The other day I just walked up and down the aisles in grocery stores, a stationery shop, a $1 shop, just about anywhere! Everything seems cheaper… until I remember that it’s dollars and not rands!

So many things are different from home. The trees are huge (no wonder there are so many children’s books about the Firwood forest creatures). Groceries come in huge containers: jam, toothpaste, milk, sugar, and of course, peanut butter! Many terms are to be relearnt: takkies-sneakers, biscuit-cookie, nappy-diaper, slops-sandals…

When people have commented on my accent, it’s to say that I don’t really have one! So far one person even thought I am Canadian! As a friend says, I’m going to meet lots of Canadans in Canadia! There are students from all over the world everywhere, many of whom I’d like to get to know better. And I have discovered sooo many more books that I want to read - I don’t actually know where to start! Where am I going to get the time to do all this?!

In a way Vancouver is for me at this time a kind-of land of milk and honey. I am going to live in it to the fullest potential of the word – exploring the new and not forgetting the old. Thank you God for guiding me here at such a time as this!